Review of CCPR voluntary sports broadcasting code

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

The CCPR is to review its voluntary code of conduct for sports broadcasting.

About the code

The Code aims to encourage the reinvestment of revenues from television broadcasting rights of major sporting events to community sport. National governing bodies - including the Football Association, the Lawn Tennis Association and the ECB - are signatories to the code.

They currently invest a minimum of five percent of broadcasting rights in youth programmes, community sports facilities, education and training, research and development.

“The voluntary code of conduct already ensures that tens of millions of pounds are returned to grassroots sports each year,” said CCPR chief executive Tim Lamb. “That makes possible all kinds of community programmes which wouldn’t otherwise happen.”

Increasing the percentage

Hugh Robertson, Minister for Sport, would like to see the code changed with the minimum being increased to 30 per cent.

“While 30 per cent may sound ambitious, I am optimistic that this can be achieved,” Mr Robertson said. “National governing bodies have a duty to ensure that they have the strongest community structure possible. A thriving grassroots is only going to help the sport at the top end.”

“All signatories reinvest significantly more than five per cent,” said Mr Lamb, “but a potential increase to 30 per cent would provide even more of a cast-iron guarantee for grassroots sport.”

Review focus

The review of the code will focus on national governing bodies, but will allow some flexibility for other current signatories such as the Premier League and the PGA European Tour.